Playing With Thomas And Friends
Trains, planes, trucks and toys, there’s nothing quite like little boys…
This quote definitely sums up A at his current age. He is all about trains, planes and trucks, with his favorite definitely being trains. So… when this Thomas and Friends Diesel Tunnel Blast arrived at our doorstep his excitement was over the roof. I’ve never seen his face light up so brightly within seconds and he hasn’t stopped telling me how this is simply “the best toy ever” since opening it. The toy now has a special place on the floor in his room, and mama is not allowed to touch it either. But what makes this toy so special ? Well if you understand little boys the name would probably give it away 1. It’s a train and 2. It BLASTS through a tunnel sending the rock blocks flying into different directions… Need I say more?
About the Thomas and Friends TrackMaster Diesel Tunnel Blast Train Set
This exciting train set is a product by Fisher Price aimed at children between the ages of 3 and 7 years old. The push-along set gives preschoolers the opportunity to go on a fun and exciting adventure with the mischievous engine Diesel, as they race down the track together and blast through the blocked tunnel. The set comes with a TrackMaster layout, 7 track pieces to assemble, a track stopper, 3 elevation pieces, 3 rock pieces, a tunnel to pass through and 1 diesel diecast toy engine. The track, when assembled, measures around 137cm long! It is “ginormous” as A would say.
What we loved about the product:
1.Easy to follow instructions
We loved how the instructions for assembly was easy to follow and A could assemble it by himself with some guidance from me. This always helps as it not only gives him a confidence boost, but it also avoids any meltdowns out of frustration because he cannot help me.
2. Encourages Imaginary Play
I love how the product encourages imaginary play. It’s always such a joy to listen to A play in his room – the sound effects are just out of this world as he “choo choo’s” and “dush” through the blocked tunnel. The shouts of victory and cries of success makes it all worth it.
3. Great Quality
Quality is a major thing for me, because A always plays rough. We always joke and say that if a toy can survive A, it can survive anything. The railway and train are sturdy and survived the toddler quality test. The diecast train is made to last, which meant that A could let it fly through the air and blast through the tunnel freely.
4. Compatibility
I love how the Diesel engine is compatible with all of the TrackMaster tracks, and how the included tracks can also be connected to the other TrackMaster train track sets. This means that there are so many options for add-ons that could turn this simple track into a railway wonderland. It also opens up options for a birthday and Christmas gift since everyone can just buy little add-ons or extra sets to expand what he already has.
5. Affordability
This is another big one for us. As a single mom, I refuse to spend thousands of Rands on toys… This set retails for around R399 which is a really good price for the quality and play-time that A is getting out of it.
6. No batteries required
Can I get a Hallelujah! A goes through battery operated toys faster than his snacks in a holiday. It’s gotten to the point where I no longer even purchase battery operated toys, because batteries would just go missing all around the house. Try to switch on the tv, nope batteries from the remote gone, because his car needed it. This push along toy works wonderfully and I don’t have to worry about stocking up on any batteries or hiding the available batteries around the house.
What we didn’t like about the product:
- The only fault I could find was that A struggled to push the train from the start of the track. The train would fly of track or if not pushed with the exact right force would just go backwards on the track. This was a little frustrating for him, but he fixed it quickly by just starting to push it on one of the elevation pieces, so that it rolls down the track. I think this would mostly be a problem with the smaller kids (3 and 4 years old) as the older kids would quickly figure out at which force to push the train so that it speeds up on the track.
- This is also more of a mommy problem, and not a fault with the product but the track is BIG, so it takes up a ton of space when assembled. A loved it though, and luckily once you take it apart it can easily be stored away in a drawer or toybox.
Final Thoughts
A really loves this set and I am not allowed to pack it away just yet, which is a good thing. He keeps it assembled in his room and keeps going back to it during free play time. He also keeps telling me that “it’s the best toy in the whole world” so it gets a thumbs up from us! So… “come on a journey with Thomas and friends, all around the world and then back again. Big, new adventures for all to see, so much to discover…”
Love A & Mommy
You can check out A’s review video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1Jg7BvrGbc&t=2s
Thomas and Friends TrackMaster Diesel Tunnel Blast can be purchased here:
- https://www.toysrus.co.za/track-master-diesel-tunnel-blast-push-along-train-set
- https://toykingdom.co.za/product/thomas-diesel-tunnel-blast-set/
- https://www.makro.co.za/baby-toddlers-kids/toys/kids-toys/action-play/thomas-friends-diesel-tunnel-blast-set/p/000000000000390329_EA
- https://www.takealot.com/thomas-friends-diesel-tunnel-blast-set/PLID65571038
